Firecracker 5K and other July 4 news

With Saturday's weather forecast for a high of only 85 degrees and just a chance of scattered thunderstorms, it looks like the Fourth of July is going to dawn just beautifully. And speaking of dawn, don't forget the annual Cadillac Firecracker 5K Race/Walk benfitting the Maryland Farms YMCA that kicks off at 7 a.m. Andrews Cadillac is its primary sponsor.
Advance registration closed Wednesday, but race-day registration is available for $30.
The race begins and ends at the Y, 5101 Maryland Way, with a route that weaves itself through Maryland Farms. For the younger set, the Luken Investments Kid's Race starts at 8 a.m. Designed for children age12 and younger, the cost is$5 for child.
All participants are invited to join the Y for its Independence Day pool party from noon-2 p.m.
For complete details, visit http://tinyurl.com/fire5K.



Chamber says "wear red!"
Just an fyi: today's the last day you can buy the bright red Fourth of July T-shirts the Brentwood Cool Springs Chamber wants everyone to wear to Crockett Park on Saturday. Well, make that the last day you can buy them at the chamber office.
Lynn Tucker shares that sales have been brisk at the office, which is open until 5 p.m. today but closed tomorrow for the holiday. However, you can buy them at Puffy Muffin today through Saturday, and at the park on Saturday.
The shirts commemorate the city's 40th anniversary and the 20th year for Leadership Brentwood. The are $15 each.
For more information, check out my previous post at ttp://brentword.blogspot.com/2009/06/red-white-and-you-t-shirts-on-sale.html



Webb to wave, wave, touch pearls
The annual Carondelet Fourth of July Parade presented by BrentWord.blogspot.com (OK, I just added the last part) is ON.
Parade organizer Michelle Lasley told me it was touch and go for a bit, but indeed the neighborhood parade will take place as it always has on Saturday morning, complete with red, white and blue Popsicles at the end of the route.
This year's Grand Marshal is Commissioner Paul Webb. Last year it was Vernon Winfrey, Oprah's dad. And let's see. A few years before that it was ... well, that's right. It was me!
"I'm currently working on getting Paul a convertible to transport him in style. Unfortunately, we lost our 65 'stang," Michelle shares. Have a really neat convertible they can us? Let me know and I'll pass it on.

Of course, the biggest event of the day will be the city's Fourth of July celebrate at Crockett Park featuring The Kadillacs. In case you missed yesterday's post listing fun trivia about the band, visit http://brentword.blogspot.com/2009/07/kadillacs-who-knew.html. For information on the event itself -- and traffic plans, road closures and the like, check out http://brentword.blogspot.com/2009/06/fabulous-fourth-is-just-around-corner.html.

Know of other fun Fourth of July activities in town? Let me know so I can share them with readers. Just email me the who, what, when and where to brentword@comcast.net.

Few crimes to report this week

Brentwood Police Department's Cpt. Jeff Hughes just sent the weekly crime wrapup. There's good news and bad.
First the good: It's been a quiet week in ol' Brentwood. The bad? Many of the crimes reported might have been prevented.

• On May 18, a wallet and its contents were reported stole from an unlocked locker at the Maryland Farms YMCA.
• Also on May 18, a woman's purse and wallet were stolen from her locked car at Civitan Park off Concord after someone broke out the passenger side window.
• On May 17, a pressure washer was reportedly stolen from a home on Post Oak Circle in McGavock Farms.

Among the crime prevention tips you'll find on the city's website are these:

• Most car burglars act on impulse. Keep your belongings with you or out of sight. Car floorboards, dashboards, and seats ARE NOT good places to leave items such as purses and wallets; laptop computer bags, briefcases, and backpacks; shopping bags and cell phones and MP3 players. According to Hughes and Officer Mark Wood, GPS devices have become one of the hottest targets. Remember: If you cannot take your items with you, hide them out of sight in your trunk or other concealable area.
• Leaving your keys anywhere in your vehicle is an invitation to a car burglar. Keep in mind that if you think you have a great hiding place for a spare key, a thief has probably thought of that hiding place as well.
• And remember that most car burglaries in Brentwood occur at people's homes. The police urge everyone to "Lock your car doors. Keep your valuables in the trunk or inside the house. DO NOT LEAVE YOUR KEYS IN THE IGNITION even when your car is in the garage or your driveway. Lock your garage walk-in door and keep the garage bay door shut."

For more tips, visit www.brentwood-tn.org/index.aspx?page=479. If you see a crime being committed or need to report a non-emergency crime, please call the Brentwood Police Department at 371-0160. For emergencies, call 911.

Let's hope there's nothing to report from next week's crime log!